Welcome to the offpisteskiing guide to ski touring bindings!
With a number of different products on the market it can be difficult for the newcomer to ski touring to decide which to choose. Read on for a brief run-down of the 3 most common options, and a personal view of each.
1. Fritschi - the workhorse...
The Fritschi range of touring bindings have been around for some time now and despite their detractors are possibly the most common binding in use. With 2 models in the range last year - the Explorer (< DIN 10) and the Freeride (< DIN 12) these bindings have been proven to stand the test of time.
The pros:
'Downhill' binding style ease of entry/exit.
Highly adjustable - easily changed to fit different boots - alpine or touring
The cons:
Have been known to break. In my experience this is very uncommon with a little TLC (ie not clearing boot soles of snow by kicking on the toe piece), and I have notched up many days of touring & lift-served off-piste as well as heli-skiing in Alaska and weeks on expedition without problem. Spares are easy to come by and it is easy to carry and replace a complete binding while on expedition.
Lateral 'play' between boot & binding (Slop). Often cited as a reason not to buy Fritschis in practise this really isn't a problem - we are skiing softer snow after all, not trying to hang on to blue-ice race pistes. In fact on steep slopes & rougher snow the 'slop' can be an advantage as it gives automatic 'softening' of the edges, promoting a smoother ride.
Weight of one binding (approx.): 1020g - model - Freeride Plus
2. Dynafit - you don't have to wear lycra!
The lightweight option, long the favourite of lycra-clad 'rando-racers' is now a great option for all, with beefed up ranges complete with ski-brakes for ease of use (no faffing with leashes) and a new range with DIN 12 for the freeriders out there.
The pros:
Weight. These bindings make a considerable weight-saving compared to the Fritschis or Markers (eg 1120g for Dynafit FT12 vs 2040g for Fritschi Freeride). For big days out this can make a huge difference, and gives the option of still skiing a 'big' ski but keeping the overall ski/binding weight down.
Lateral 'play' between boot & binding is almost non-existent thanks to the solid interface between boot, binding & ski. This gives the skier absolute control over edge angle, as a 1° tilt of the boot will tilt the ski exactly the same amount (see Fritschi 'cons' above) giving extremely responsive performance.
The cons:
Dynafit inserts required. To use Dynafit bindings you must have a pair of boots fitted with the appropriate inserts. In the last few years this has become less of an issue, with several manufacturers producing different ranges of Dynafit-compatible boots, from ultra-light race gear to heavyweight freeride boots.
The fiddle-factor. It can take a while to get the hang of putting the bindings on. If you know you are going to be boot-packing/cramponing it is worth carrying a small screwdriver to clear out the front inserts to ensure a proper connection.
Weight of one binding (approx.): 560g - model - FT 12
Also worth looking out for is the Onyx binding by G3, due out this winter (2010). A Dynafit compatible binding with easy entry and ski/walk mode changeover without removing boot from binding - looks great on paper, one to watch...!
3. Marker Duke & Baron - the heavyweights:
Want to drive the latest generation of seriously fat skis? Planning on taking to the air & landing some big drops? Want the flexibility to head uphill in search of the best snow? If you're not worried about weight this is the binding for you...
The pros:
'Downhill' binding performance.
DIN settings up to 16 for the Freeride-minded...
The cons:
Weight. Not a binding to go for major vertical on...!
Need to remove ski to swap between ski & tour modes. Not a huge issue but can be annoying on undulating flat exits.
Weight of one binding (approx.): 1335g - model - Duke
Simon's opinion:
Having finally taken the plunge with Dynafit this last winter I can happily say I am a convert! Beefy bindings (particularly the FT12s), even the lightweight models give a super-solid connection to the ski. I particularly appreciate being able to lock the ski onto my foot for descents where falling/losing a ski just isn't an option.
These bindings are great because they mean that taking a 'proper' ski into the mountains no longer carries a big weight penalty with it. First time putting the bindings on on a 50 degree slope was interesting, but like anything once you get a system sorted out its no more a problem than for any other binding.
The stride with these bindings is also a revolution compared to Fristchis - its hard to explain until you feel it for yourself, but definitely makes for a more natural walking action!
This winter I was skiing FT12s on a pair of Dynastar Mythic Riders, and a pair of TLT Comforts on Dynastar Altitrail Powders.
Mailing list: Weblog: Check out the Off Piste Skiing blog for the latest news and reports from our courses, and off-piste conditions reports from around the Alps.
